Nmda antagonist prodrugs

ABSTRACT

Prodrugs of an NMDA antagonist, (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine, useful for the treatment of depression (particularly major depressive disorder) or pain; compositions comprising them, and methods of making them.

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/899,903, filed Nov. 5, 2013, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This invention is directed to prodrugs of an NMDA antagonist, (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine, and their use in the treatment of depression and depressive disorders, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD), and also for the treatment of pain (such as neuropathic pain). The prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine can also be used to treat Rett Syndrome, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder (including bipolar depression), obsessive compulsive disorder, sarin gas poisoning, and status epilepticus. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the prodrugs and to processes for preparing them.

Pain in one form or another is a pervasive part of human life. Pain from injury and post-surgical pain is often temporary, but can be severe, and can persist. Neuropathic pain such as diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia severely impacts sufferers. Every year, tens of millions of people around the world, including patients at the end of their lives, suffer from pain without adequate treatment.

Depression affects about 120 million people worldwide. Symptoms of depression include, but are not limited to, depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration, or any combination thereof. These problems can be chronic or recurrent and can lead to substantial impairment of an individual's ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities. Depression is the leading cause of disability as measured by Years Lived with a Disability (YLDs) and the fourth leading contributor to the global burden of disease as measured by Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs; i.e., the sum of years of potential life lost due to premature mortality and the years of productive life lost due to disability) in 2000. By the year 2020, depression is projected to reach second place in the ranking of DALYs calculated for all ages, in both men and women. Today, depression is already the second cause of DALYs in the age category 15-44 years for both sexes combined.

(S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine dihydrochloride has been disclosed for the treatment of MDD via intravenous infusion treatment (Gerard Sanacora et al, poster presented on 6 Dec. 2012 at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology in Hollywood, Fla., USA. Other related disclosures include WO1993/020052, WO2000/056324, and WO2000/63175. For convenience it would be useful to be able to administer this drug as an oral dosage form. However, a concern with such an oral dosage form of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine dihydrochloride would be that it would be open to misuse intravenously, for example, tablet crushing of an oral dosage form of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine dihydrochloride followed by immediate injection of the resulting crushed oral dosage form of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine dihydrochloride. Prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine are predicted to break down in a human body to provide (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine, so that, when prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine are administered orally, they would break down to liberate a therapeutically effective dose of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. But if a prodrug of the present invention is administered intravenously it is predicted that the prodrug would liberate (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine to give a lower Cmax, at a slower rate, than if the corresponding dose of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine had been administered intravenously. The use of prodrugs of (S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine would be predicted to improve the clinical safety profile of (S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (for example under overdose or, drug abuse (eg pill crushing) conditions). Thus, in summary, putting (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethamamine directly into an oral formulation could lead to abuses. Compounds of the present invention metabolise in vivo to give (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethamamine, but at a slower rate than the rate when (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethamamine is administered intravenously, and therefore would not encourage potential abuse of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrates the conversion of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (Example 5) to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine during an incubation period in human intestinal fluid. In particular, FIG. 1a illustrates prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (Example 5) concentration (initial concentrations of 30, 100, 300 and 600 μM), as it transforms to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine, during an incubation period in human intestinal fluid. FIG. 1b illustrates (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine concentration, as it converts from prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (Example 5, initial concentrations of 30, 100, 300 and 600 μM), during an incubation period in human intestinal fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a compound of formula (I):

wherein R1 is C₁₋₆ alkylC(O)O(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), or

AA is a peptide bond-linked natural amino acid; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Alkyl is straight or branched chain and contains 1-6, for example 1-4, carbon atoms. Alkyl is, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl or tert-butyl.

Alkoxy is straight or branched chain and contain 1-6, for example 1-4, carbon atoms. Alkoxy is, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, sec-butoxy, iso-butoxy or tert-butoxy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is C₁₋₆ alkylC(O)O(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), for example it is C₁₋₄ alkylC(O)O(C₁₋₄ alkoxy). Examples include: (CH₃)₂CHC(O)OCH₂O, (CH₃)₂CHC(O)OCH(CH(CH₃)₂)O, CH₃C(O)OCH(CH₃)O or (CH₃)₂CHC(O)OCH(CH₃)O.

In another aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is

and AA is a peptide bond-linked natural amino acid.

In yet another aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is

(so the chiral centre * has S absolute configuration).

In a further aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) wherein AA is, for example, glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, serine, threonine, cysteine, cystine, methionine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, glutamine, lysine, hydroxylysine, arginine, histidine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, proline or hydroxyproline. In a still further aspect AA is selected from the group consisting of tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, leucine, arginine, histidine, lysine and valine. In another aspect AA is selected from the group consisting of tyrosine, arginine, histidine, lysine and valine. In a still further aspect AA is valine.

A suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salt is, for example, an acid addition salt such as a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulphate, phosphate, acetate, fumarate, maleate, tartrate, lactate, citrate, pyruvate, succinate, oxalate, methanesulphonate, p-toluenesulphonate, bisulphate, benzenesulphonate, ethanesulphonate, malonate, xinafoate, ascorbate, oleate, nicotinate, saccharinate, adipate, formate, glycolate, L-lactate, D-lactate, aspartate, malate, L-tartrate, D-tartrate, stearate, 2-furoate, 3-furoate, napadisylate (naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate or naphthalene-1-(sulfonic acid)-5-sulfonate), edisylate (ethane-1,2-disulfonate or ethane-1-(sulfonic acid)-2-sulfonate), isethionate (2-hydroxyethylsulfonate), 2-mesitylenesulphonate, 2-naphthalenesulphonate, D-mandelate, L-mandelate, 2,5-dichlorobenzenesulphonate, cinnamate or benzoate.

A compound of formula (I) which is:

-   (S)-(1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)methyl isobutyrate; -   2-Methyl-1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)propyl     isobutyrate; -   2-Methyl-1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)propyl     isobutyrate diastereomer 1; -   2-Methyl-1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)propyl     isobutyrate diastereomer 2; -   1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl acetate; -   1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl acetate     diastereomer 1; -   1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl acetate     diastereomer 2; -   1-((S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate; -   1-((S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate     diastereomer 1; -   1-((S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate     diastereomer 2; -   (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-methylbutanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide; -   (S)-1-((S)-2,6-Diaminohexanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide; -   (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide; -   2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridine; -   2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridine; -   (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-phenylpropanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide;     or, -   (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-4-methylpentanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of any one of the foregoing.

Compounds of the invention can be prepared by adapting methods described in the art or by adapting methods described in the Examples. The compound (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine) can be prepared, for example, by process methodology in EP-0633879 and the content of that document is incorporate by reference.

Compounds of the present invention wherein R1 is

can be synthesized using a chemical process that proceeds though a 2-((S)-2-phenyl-2-((S)-pyrrolid-2-incarboxamido)ethyl)pyridine intermediate.

Thus, in another aspect, the present invention provides the compound 2-((S)-2-phenyl-2-((S)-pyrrolid-2-incarboxamido)ethyl)pyridine:

or a salt thereof, wherein said salt is, for example, a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulphate, phosphate, acetate, methanesulphonate, p-toluenesulphonate, formate or benzoate salt.

In a further aspect the present invention provides the intermediate compound 2-((S)-2-phenyl-2-((S)-pyrrolidin-2-iumcarboxamido)ethyl)pyridinium chloride

A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, can be used in the treatment of depression (such as major depressive disorder, for example treatment resistant major depressive disorder).

A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, can be used in the treatment of pain (such as neuropathic pain, chronic pain, phantom-limb pain, nociceptive pain, psychogenic pain, incident pain or breakthrough pain).

A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, can be used in the treatment of Rett Syndrome, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, sarin gas poisoning, or status epilepticus.

Thus, the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof as defined herein for use in therapy. Therefore, the term “prodrug” as used herein may refer to a compound of formula (I) in the form of a salt or in the form of a free base.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as defined herein in the manufacture of a medicament for use in therapy.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a method of administering (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine to a patient, said method comprising administering a compound of formula (I), of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a patient wherein said compound of formula (I) metabolises in said patient to produce (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine.

In the context of the present specification, the term “therapy” also includes “prophylaxis” unless there are specific indications to the contrary. The terms “therapeutic” and “therapeutically” should be construed accordingly.

Prophylaxis is expected to be particularly relevant to the treatment of persons who have suffered a previous episode of, or are otherwise considered to be at increased risk of, the disease or condition in question. Persons at risk of developing a particular disease or condition generally include those having a family history of the disease or condition, or those who have been identified by genetic testing or screening to be particularly susceptible to developing the disease or condition.

The invention still further provides a method of treating depression which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as defined herein.

The invention still further provides a method of treating MDD which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as defined herein.

The invention still further provides a method of treating pain which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as defined herein.

The invention still further provides a method of treating neuropathic pain, chronic pain, phantom-limb pain, nociceptive pain, psychogenic pain, incident pain or breakthrough pain which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as defined herein.

The use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the treatment of depression.

The use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the treatment of pain.

For the above-mentioned therapeutic uses the dosage administered will, of course, vary with the compound employed, the mode of administration, the treatment desired and the disorder indicated. For example, the daily dosage of the compound of the invention, if inhaled, may be in the range from 0.05 micrograms per kilogram body weight (μg/kg) to 100 micrograms per kilogram body weight (μg/kg). Alternatively, if the compound is administered orally, then the daily dosage of the compound of the invention may be in the range from 0.01 micrograms per kilogram body weight (μg/kg) to 100 milligrams per kilogram body weight (mg/kg).

Compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may be used on their own but will generally be administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition in which the formula (I) compound/salt (active ingredient) is in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier. Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation of suitable pharmaceutical formulations are described in, for example, “Pharmaceuticals—The Science of Dosage Form Designs”, M. E. Aulton, Churchill Livingstone, 1988.

Depending on the mode of administration, the pharmaceutical composition will preferably comprise from 0.05 to 99% w (percent by weight), more preferably from 0.05 to 80% w, still more preferably from 0.10 to 70% w, and even more preferably from 0.10 to 50% w, of active ingredient, all percentages by weight being based on total composition. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises 0.5% w of active ingredient. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises 20% w of active ingredient.

The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as defined herein, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.

The invention further provides a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition of the invention which comprises mixing a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as defined herein with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.

For oral administration the compound of the invention may be admixed with an adjuvant or a carrier, for example, lactose, saccharose, sorbitol, mannitol; a starch, for example, potato starch, corn starch or amylopectin; a cellulose derivative; a binder, for example, gelatine or polyvinylpyrrolidone; and/or a lubricant, for example, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, polyethylene glycol, a wax, paraffin, and the like, and then compressed into tablets. If coated tablets are required, the cores, prepared as described above, may be coated with a concentrated sugar solution which may contain, for example, gum arabic, gelatine, talcum and titanium dioxide. Alternatively, the tablet may be coated with a suitable polymer dissolved in a readily volatile organic solvent.

For the preparation of soft gelatine capsules, the compound of the invention may be admixed with, for example, a vegetable oil or polyethylene glycol. Hard gelatine capsules may contain granules of the compound using either the above-mentioned excipients for tablets. Also liquid or semisolid formulations of the compound of the invention may be filled into hard gelatine capsules.

Compounds of the invention may also be administered in conjunction with other compounds used for the treatment of the above conditions.

The following Examples illustrate the present invention. In the Examples certain techniques were used and these are now described.

High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed on a reversed phase (RP) column. A linear gradient was applied using for example mobile phase A (0.1% Formic Acid in MilliQ H2O or 0.1% NH3 in MilliQ H2O or 10 mM NH4OAc and 5% CH3CN in MilliQ H2O, or 0.05% trifluoric acid in MilliQ H2O, or NH4HCO3 in MilliQ H2O (10 mM)) and B (CH3OH or CH3CN). Mass spectrometer (MS) analyses were performed in positive and/or negative ion mode using electrospray ionization (ESI+/−), atmospheric pressure photo ionization (APPI+/−) and/or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI+/−).

Gas chromatography (GC) was performed on a GC equipped with a mass spectrometer (MS) or a flame ionization detector (FID). The MS ion source was either electron impact (EI), or a chemical ionization (CI, reactant gas: methane). For separation a capillary column was used, for example DB-5MS (J&W Scientific). A linear temperature gradient was applied.

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) was performed on a straight phase column. An isocratic flow was applied using mobile phase A (CO2) and for example mobile phase B (MeOH, EtOH or IPA).

Alternatively, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed on a straight phase column. A linear gradient or isocratic flow was applied using for example mobile phase A (heptane) and B (EtOH or IPA).

NMR spectra were recorded on a 300 MHz (or higher field) NMR spectrometer fitted with a probe of suitable configuration. Spectra were recorded at ambient temperature unless otherwise stated. Chemical shifts are given in ppm down- and upfield from TMS (0.00 ppm). The following reference signals were used: TMS δ 0.00, or the residual solvent signal of DMSO-d6 δ 2.49, CD3OD δ 3.30, acetone-dδ 2.04, CDCl3 δ 7.25, or D2O δ 4.79 (unless otherwise indicated). Resonance multiplicities are denoted s, d, t, q, m, br and app for singlet, doublet, triplet, quartet, multiplet, broad and apparent, respectively.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

-   DBU 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene -   DCM Dichloromethane -   DEA Diethyl amine -   DIPEA Diisopropyl ethyl amine -   DMF Dimethylformamide -   DMSO Dimethylsulfoxide -   EtOAc Ethyl acetate -   HATU 2-(1H-7-Azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl uronium     hexafluorophosphate methanaminium -   IPA iso-propanol -   MTBE Methyl tert-butyl ether -   rt room temperature, or ambient temperature, approx 20-25° C. -   sat saturated -   T3P Propane phosphonic anhydride

Example 1 (S)-(1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)methyl isobutyrate

Step A

Chloromethyl Isobutyrate

To isobutyric acid (0.600 mL, 6.47 mmol) in DCM (6 mL) was added sodium bicarbonate (2092 mg, 24.91 mmol), tetrabutyl ammonium hydrogen sulfate (220 mg, 0.65 mmol) and water (6 mL). With rapid stirring, chloromethyl sulfochloridate (0.767 mL, 7.44 mmol) was added at rt and the reaction mixture was then stirred at rt overnight. The reaction mixture was then diluted with DCM (10 mL), washed with water (2×10 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to give chloromethyl isobutyrate (746 mg, 84%), which was used in the next step without further purification.

1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ ppm 1.17 (m, 6H), 2.62 (m, 1H), 5.72 (s, 2H).

Step B (S)-(1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)methyl isobutyrate

Cesium carbonate (1543 mg, 4.74 mmol) and tetrabutylammonium iodide (1749 mg, 4.74 mmol) were added to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (313 mg, 1.58 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (8 mL) at rt. Carbon dioxide gas was bubbled into the reaction mixture for 30 min, followed by addition of chloromethyl isobutyrate (647 mg, 4.74 mmol) in DMF (2 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt with continued CO₂ gas bubbling overnight and continued to stir over the weekend without further CO₂ gas addition. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc (3×), the combined organic layers were washed with water (2×), brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated. Purification was done by column chromatography using a gradient of EtOAc in heptane (0-60%) to give the title compound (239 mg, 44.2%).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ ppm 1.00 (m, 6H), 2.46 (m, 1H, partially hidden in DMSO-d6), 3.09 (m, 2H), 5.04 (m, 1H), 5.52 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.24 (m, 3H), 7.27-7.34 (m, 4H), 7.65 (td, 1H), 8.24 (d, 1H), 8.49 (m, 1H).

Example 2 2-Methyl-1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)propyl isobutyrate

There are two different diastereomers of Example 2 due to the two possible configurations at the carbon atom identified with *. These are referred to as Example 2 diastereomer 1 and Example 2 diastereomer 2. Their absolute configurations have not been determined.

Step A 2-methyl-1-((4-(methylsulfonyl)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)propyl isobutyrate

(i) 4-(Methylmercapto)phenol (8.46 g, 57.30 mmol) was taken up in DCM (60 mL) and then the reaction flask was chilled to 0° C., followed by addition of 1-chloro-2-methylpropyl carbonochloridate (4.27 mL, 28.65 mmol). A solution of 4-methylmorpholine (7.87 mL, 71.63 mmol) in DCM (40 mL) was added drop-wise, over 50 min at 0° C. and the resulting mixture stirred at this temperature for 5 minutes, and finally stirred at rt for 150 minutes. The reaction mixture was washed with water (2×), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated to give 1-chloro-2-methylpropyl 4-(methylthio)phenyl carbonate (13.84 g), which was used in the next step without further purification.

(ii) A mixture of 1-chloro-2-methylpropyl 4-(methylthio)phenyl carbonate (3.50 g, 12.74 mmol), silver(I) oxide (2.95 g, 12.74 mmol) and isobutyric acid (13.00 mL, 140.12 mmol) under an atmosphere of argon was heated to 95° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to rt and stirred at rt overnight, then diluted with MTBE, filtered through diatomaceous earth and washed with more MTBE. The combined filtrates were washed with water (4×25 mL), sat. aq. sodium bicarbonate (2×25 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), and evaporated to give 3.56 g of 2-methyl-1-((4-(methylthio)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)propyl isobutyrate, which was used in the next step without further purification.

(iii) 2-Methyl-1-((4-(methylthio)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)propyl isobutyrate (3.56 g, 10.91 mmol) was taken up in a mixture of acetone (30 mL) and water (7.50 mL), followed by addition of oxone (13.41 g, 21.81 mmol) in portions over 5 min, then stirred at rt for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate washed with MTBE (2×50 mL), the volume was reduced to 50 mL (distilling off the acetone) and then the resulting mixture was separated between MTBE and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with MTBE and the combined organics were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated to give 1.89 g of the title compound, which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step B: 2-Methyl-1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)propyl isobutyrate

To a stirred mixture of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (0.215 g, 1.08 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (0.182 g, 2.17 mmol) in acetonitrile (3 mL) was added 2-methyl-1-((4-(methyl sulfonyl)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)propyl isobutyrate (0.389 g, 1.08 mmol) in acetonitrile (2 mL) and the reaction was stirred at rt for 2 hours. Separated between EtOAc and sat aq NaHCO₃, the organic layer was washed with sat aq NaHCO₃, dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to give 413 mg of material, which was purified by column chromatography using a gradient of EtOAc in heptane (0-50%) to give 235 mg as a mixture of the two diastereomers of 2-methyl-1-(S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)propyl isobutyrate.

Analysis and separation of the diasteremers was done on Chiralpak AD-H, 4.6*250 mm; 5 m, using 10% MeOH/90% CO₂ at 3 mL/min flow and Chiralpak AD-H, 20*250 mm; 5 μm, using 10% MeOH/90% CO₂ at 50 mL/min flow, respectively.

Example 2, Diastereomer 1

105 mg of diastereomer 1 was obtained by chiral separation as the first eluting diastereomer in 99% optical purity. Mixture of rotamers:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ ppm 0.66-1.07 (m), 1.86 (m), 2.39 (m), 2.98-3.21 (m), 5.01 (m), 6.31 (m), 7.10-7.26 (m), 7.26-7.37 (m), 7.56-7.73 (m), 8.10 (d), 8.43-8.55 (m). Total no of protons in spectrum: 28. Ratio rotamers major/minor: 1/0.15.

MS (ES+APCI+) m/z 385 (M+H)⁺

Example 2, Diastereomer 2

104 mg of diastereomer 2 were obtained as the second-eluting diastereomer. Mixture of rotamers:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ ppm 0.48-0.69 (m), 0.75-0.87 (m), 0.87-1.07 (m), 1.73 (m), 1.85 (m), 2.40 (m), 2.98 (m), 3.03-3.18 (m), 4.97 (m), 6.22-6.38 (m), 7.13-7.26 (m), 7.26-7.37 (m), 7.65 (m), 7.78 (d), 8.06 (d), 8.48 (m). Total no of protons in spectrum: 28. Ratio rotamers major/minor: 1/0.17.

MS (ES+APCI+) m/z 385 (M+H)⁺.

Optical purity=99%

Example 3 1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl acetate

There are two different diastereomers of Example 3 due to the two possible configurations at the carbon atom identified with *. These are referred to as Example 3 diastereomer 1 and Example 3 diastereomer 2. Their absolute configurations have not been determined.

Step A: 1-((4-(methylsulfonyl)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)ethyl acetate

(i) A mixture of 1-chloroethyl 4-(methylthio)phenyl carbonate (4.6 g, 18.65 mmol), Silver(I) oxide (4.32 g, 18.65 mmol) and acetic acid (11.75 mL, 205.1 mmol) under an atmosphere of argon was heated to 95° C. for 2 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to rt and diluted with MTBE, filtered through diatomaceous earth, and washed with more MTBE. The combined filtrates were washed with water (4×25 mL), sat. aq. sodium bicarbonate (2×25 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), and evaporated to give 1.79 g of 1-((4-(methylthio)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)ethyl acetate which was used in the next step without further purification.

(ii) 1-((4-(Methylthio)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)ethyl acetate (1.79 g, 6.62 mmol) was taken up in a mixture of acetone (16 mL) and water (4.00 mL). Oxone (8.14 g, 13.24 mmol) was added in portions over 5 min, then stirred at rt overnight. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate washed with MTBE (2×50 mL), the volume was reduced to about 50 mL (distilling off the acetone). The product was separated between MTBE and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with MTBE and the combined organics were dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and evaporated to give 832 mg of the title compound and used in the next step without further purification.

Step B: 1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl acetate

To a stirred mixture of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (198 mg, 1 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (168 mg, 2.00 mmol) in acetonitrile (4 mL) was added 1-((4-(methylsulfonyl)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)ethyl acetate (302 mg, 1.00 mmol) in acetonitrile (1 mL) and the reaction was stirred at rt for 4 hours. The reaction mixture was then separated between EtOAc and sat aq NaHCO₃, the organic layer washed with sat aq NaHCO₃, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated. This mixture was pre-purified by column chromatography using a gradient of EtOAc in heptane (0-50%) to give 160 mg of the title compound as mixture of its two diastereomers.

Analysis and separation of the diastereomers was done on Phenomenex LuxC4, 4.6*250 mm; 5 μm, using 30% MeOH+DEA/70% CO₂ at 3 mL/min flow and Phenomenex LuxC4, 20*250 mm; 5 μm, using 25% MeOH+DEA/75% CO₂ at 50 mL/min flow, respectively.

Example 3, Diastereomer 1

29 mg of diastereomer 1 was obtained by chiral separation as the first eluting diastereomer in 99% optical purity.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ ppm 1.31 (d, 3H), 1.92 (s, 3H), 3.00-3.16 (m, 2H), 5.00 (td, 1H), 6.52 (q, 1H), 7.14-7.25 (m, 3H), 7.30 (d, 4H), 7.65 (t, 1H), 8.13 (d, 1H), 8.50 (d, 1H). The signals in the spectrum were broadened and the splitting of the DMSO-signal could not be seen.

¹³C NMR (126 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 19.6, 20.7, 44.6, 54.9, 88.7, 121.6, 123.8, 126.4, 126.9, 128.3, 136.2, 143.0, 149.0, 153.2, 158.0, 168.6 ppm. MS (ES+) m/z 328 (M+H)⁺.

Example 3, Diastereomer 2

39 mg of diastereomer 2 were obtained as the second eluting diastereomer.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ ppm 1.32 (d, 3H), 1.95 (s, 3H), 3.01-3.18 (m, 2H), 5.00 (td, 1H), 6.53 (q, 1H), 7.13-7.24 (m, 3H), 7.29 (d, 4H), 7.65 (t, 1H), 8.17 (d, 1H), 8.49 (d, 1H). The signals in the spectrum were broadened and the splitting of the DMSO-signal could not be seen.

¹³C NMR (126 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 19.6, 20.7, 44.4, 54.9, 88.6, 121.6, 123.7, 126.4, 126.9, 128.3, 136.2, 143.0, 149.0, 153.1, 158.0, 168.5. MS (ES+) m/z 329 (M+H)⁺.

Optical purity 98%.

Example 4 1-((S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate

There are two different diastereomers of Example 4 due to the two possible configurations at the carbon atom identified with *. These are referred to as Example 4 diastereomer 1 and Example 4 diastereomer 2. Their absolute configurations have not been determined.

Step A: 1-((4-(methylsulfonyl)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate

(i) 4-(Methylmercapto)phenol (4.91 g, 35.00 mmol) was taken up in DCM (100 mL) and chilled to 0° C. 1-Chloroethyl chloroformate (1.888 mL, 17.50 mmol) was added. A solution of 4-methylmorpholine (4.81 mL, 43.74 mmol) in DCM (20 mL) was added drop-wise over 10 min at 0° C. and the resulting mixture stirred at this temperature for 5 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 180 min, then diluted with DCM, washed with water (2×), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated to give 1-chloroethyl 4-(methylthio)phenyl carbonate (6.94 g), which was used in the next step without further purification.

(ii) A mixture of 1-chloroethyl 4-(methylthio)phenyl carbonate (2.3 g, 9.32 mmol), silver(I) oxide (2.160 g, 9.32 mmol) and isobutyric acid (9.51 ml, 102.55 mmol) under an atmosphere of argon was heated to 95° C. for 2 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to rt and diluted with MTBE, filtered through diatomaceous earth, washed with more MTBE. The combined filtrates were washed with water (4×25 mL), sat. aq. sodium bicarbonate (2×25 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), and evaporated to give 1.16 g of product, which was used in the next step without further purification.

(iii) 1-((4-(Methylthio)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate (1.16 g, 3.89 mmol) was taken up in a mixture of acetone (12 mL) and water (3.00 mL). Oxone (4.78 g, 7.78 mmol) was added in portions over 5 min, then stirred at rt overnight. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate washed with MTBE (2×50 mL), the volume was reduced to approximately 50 mL by distilling off the acetone, then separated between MTBE and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with MTBE and the combined organics were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated to give 531 mg of the title compound, which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step B 1-((S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate

To a stirred mixture of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (0.300 g, 1.51 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (0.254 g, 3.03 mmol) in acetonitrile (6 mL) was added 1-((4-(methylsulfonyl)phenoxy)carbonyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate (0.500 g, 1.51 mmol) in acetonitrile (2 mL) and the reaction was stirred overnight. The mixture was separated between EtOAc and sat aq NaHCO₃, the organic layer was washed with sat aq NaHCO₃, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to give 0.70 g., which was purified by column chromatography using a gradient of EtOAc in heptane (0-50%) to give the title compound (0.309 g, 57.2%) as mixture of the two diastereomers.

Analysis and separation of the diastereomers was done on Phenomenex LuxC4, 4.6*250 mm; 5 μm, using 15% MeOH+DEA/85% CO₂ at 3 mL/min flow and Phenomenex LuxC4, 20*250 mm; 5 μm, using 15% MeOH+DEA/85% CO₂ at 50 mL/min flow, respectively.

Example 4, Diastereomer 1

25 mg of diastereomer 1 was obtained by chiral separation as the first eluting diastereomer in 99% optical purity. Mixture of rotamers:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ ppm 0.86-1.05 (m), 1.19 (d), 1.32 (d), 2.31-2.44 (m), 2.98-3.20 (m), 4.94-5.07 (m), 6.48 (d), 6.52 (q), 7.15-7.25 (m), 7.25-7.34 (m), 7.60-7.70 (m), 7.77 (d), 8.06-8.18 (m), 8.44-8.55 (m). Total no of protons in spectrum: 24. Ratio major/minor: 1:0.07.

MS (ES+APCI+) m/z 357 (M+H)⁺.

UV Purity=100%.

Example 4, Diastereomer 2

25 mg of diastereomer 2 were obtained as second eluting isomer. Mixture of rotamers:

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ ppm 0.82-0.94 (m), 0.94-1.04 (m), 1.25 (d), 1.32 (d), 2.24-2.32 (m), 2.34-2.44 (m), 3.00-3.17 (m), 5.02 (td), 6.48 (d), 6.52 (q), 7.15-7.25 (m), 7.25-7.38 (m), 7.55-7.77 (m), 8.16 (d), 8.44-8.57 (m). Total no of protons in spectrum: 24. Ratio major/minor: 1:0.08.

MS (ES+APCI+) m/z 357 (M+H)⁺.

UV Purity=100%.

Optical purity=99%.

Examples 5 to 12 use a common intermediate, the preparation of which is now described.

Preparation of Common Intermediate for Examples 5 to 12

2-((S)-2-phenyl-2-((S)-pyrrolidin-2-iumcarboxamido)ethyl)pyridinium dichloride (which can also be named as: (S)—N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide dihydrochloride)

Step A (S)-tert-butyl 2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate

T3P (50% wt. in DMF, 0.86 mL, 1.47 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of (1S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethan-1-amine (200 mg, 0.737 mmol), Boc-L-proline (159 mg, 0.737 mmol) and DIPEA (0.64 mL, 3.69 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (7.4 mL) at 0° C. The reaction was gradually warmed to rt while stirring overnight. The organic layer was washed twice with 5% aq. NaHCO₃, once with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The product was purified using a 50 g snap column, eluting with a gradient of MeOH and CH₂Cl₂ (0% MeOH/100% CH₂Cl₂→10% MeOH/90% CH₂Cl₂), yielding the title compound 305 mg (>100%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): ppm 1.35 (s, 9H), 1.70-1.90 (m, 2H), 2.05-2.19 (m, 2H), 3.13 (dd, 1H), 3.29-3.39 (m, 1H), 3.46-3.62 (m, 2H), 4.20-4.29 (m, 2H), 5.39 (q, 1H), 6.91 (d, 1H), 7.09-7.14 (m, 1H), 7.16-7.23 (m, 5H), 7.49 (td, 1H), 8.45-8.59 (m, 1H).

Alternative Method:

Boc-L-Pro-OH (2.0 g, 9.29 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (15 mL). HATU (3.7 g, 9.76 mmol) and Hunig's base (5.3 mL, 30.66 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at rt for 30 minutes. Then, 2-[(2S)-2-azaniumyl-2-phenylethyl]pyridin-1-ium dichloride (2.5 g, 9.29 mmol) was added to the solution and the mixture was stirred for 3 hours 30 minutes at rt. Water was added and the mixture was extracted 3× with EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product was purified on a SiO₂ column, eluting with a gradient (0% MeOH/50% EtOAc/50% heptane→0% MeOH/100% EtOAc/0% heptane→10% MeOH/90% EtOAc/0% heptane) and then on a C-18 column, eluting with a gradient of MeOH and water (0 to 100% MeOH), yielding 2.9 g (78%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): ppm 1.35 (s, 9H), 1.70-1.90 (m, 2H), 2.05-2.19 (m, 2H), 3.13 (dd, J=13.8, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 3.29-3.39 (m, 1H), 3.46-3.62 (m, 2H), 4.20-4.29 (m, 1H), 5.39 (q, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.09-7.14 (m, 1H), 7.16-7.23 (m, 5H), 7.49 (td, J=7.63, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 8.45-8.59 (m, 1H).

Step B (S)—N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide dihydrochloride

At 0° C., (S)-tert-butyl 2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (305 mg, 0.771 mmol) was dissolved in a 4 M HCl solution in 1,4-dioxane (7.7 mL, 30.8 mmol). The reaction was gradually warmed to rt while stirring overnight. The volatiles were removed under vacuum and the product was triturated in MTBE. The solid was recovered by filtration on a Buchner funnel, washed with MTBE and dried under vacuum affording 263 mg (93%) of the title compound as dihydrochloride salt.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): ppm 1.61-1.84 (m, 3H), 2.30-2.36 (m, 1H), 3.05-3.11 (m, 2H), 3.39-3.47 (m, 2H), 4.05-4.20 (m, 2H), 5.34 (q, 1H), 7.17-7.41 (m, 5H), 8.20-8.42 (m, 1H), 8.67-8.75 (m, 1H), 9.45-9.62 (m, 2H).

Alternative Method:

tert-Butyl (2S)-2-{[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (2.9 g, 7.33 mmol) was dissolved in a 4 M HCl solution in 1,4-dioxane (73 mL, 293.31 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 3 h. The volatiles were removed under vacuum and the product was triturated in MTBE. The solid was recovered by filtration on a Büchner funnel, washed with MTBE and dried under vacuum affording 2.7 g (100%) of (2S)-2-{[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-1-ium-2-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}pyrrolidin-1-ium.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O): ppm 1.66-1.83 (m, 3H), 2.20-2.26 (m, 1H), 3.14 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 3.34 (dd, J=14.1, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 3.51 (dd, J=14.4, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 4.18 (dd, J=8.5, 6.2 Hz, 1H), 5.11 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.06-7.10 (m, 2H), 7.15-7.21 (m, 3H), 7.61-7.70 (m, 2H), 8.23 (dt, J=7.9, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 8.37 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 1H).

Example 5 (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-methylbutanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide

The title compound was prepared as the dihydrochloride of (S)-1-((S)-2-amino-3-methylbutanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide

Step A tert-Butyl (S)-3-methyl-1-oxo-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)butan-2-ylcarbamate

T3P (50% wt. in DMF, 0.83 mL, 1.42 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of (S)—N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide dihydrochloride salt (263 mg, 0.714 mmol), Boc-L-Valine (155 mg, 0.714 mmol) and DIPEA (0.62 mL, 3.57 mmol) in DCM (7 mL) at 0° C. The reaction was gradually warmed to rt under stirring overnight. The organic layer was washed twice with 5% aq. NaHCO₃, once with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The product was purified using a 50 g snap column, eluting with a gradient of MeOH and CH₂Cl₂ (5% MeOH/95% CH₂Cl₂→10% MeOH/90% CH₂Cl₂), yielding the title compound 258 mg (73%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): ppm 0.91 (d, 3H), 1.00 (d, 3H), 1.43 (s, 9H), 1.85-1.99 (m, 2H), 2.00-2.16 (m, 1H), 2.17-2.21 (m, 1H), 3.12-3.27 (m, 2H), 3.47-3.62 (m, 1H), 3.63-3.78 (m, 1H), 4.32 (dd, 1H), 4.58 (d, 1H), 5.23-5.35 (m, 2H), 6.97 (d, 1H), 7.10 (dd, 1H), 7.14-7.30 (m, 5H), 7.50 (td, 1H), 7.84 (d, 1H), 8.48 (dd, 1H).

Step B (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-methylbutanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide dihydrochloride

tert-Butyl (S)-3-methyl-1-oxo-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)butan-2-ylcarbamate (258 mg, 0.522 mmol) was dissolved in a 4 M HCl solution in 1,4-dioxane (5.2 mL, 30.8 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred overnight. The volatiles were removed under vacuum and the product was triturated in EtOAc. The solid was recovered by filtration on a Buchner funnel, then triturated in Et₂O. After filtration on a Buchner funnel, the solid was dried under vacuum affording 200 mg (82%) of the title compound as dihydrochloride salt. The title compound as the dihydrochloride salt was then converted to the free base by techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the title compound may be prepared as a fumarate salt by methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): ppm 0.97 (d, 3H), 1.04 (d, 3H), 1.68-1.79 (m, 1H), 1.86-2.05 (m, 2H), 2.13-2.27 (m, 2H), 3.50-3.61 (m, 3H), 3.68-3.75 (m, 1H), 4.02 (d, 1H), 4.45 (dd, 1H), 5.40 (dd, 1H), 7.31-7.43 (m, 5H), 7.90 (t, 1H), 8.02 (d, 1H), 8.51 (td, 1H), 8.75 (d, 1H).

[M+H]+=395.27

Example 6 (S)-1-((S)-2,6-Diaminohexanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide

The title compound was prepared as the trichloride, 2-[(2S)-2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2,5-diazaniumylhexanoyl]pyrrolidin-2-yl]formamido}-2-phenylethyl]pyridin-1-ium trichloride

Step A tert-Butyl (S)-6-oxo-6-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hexane-1,5-diyldicarbamate

N-alpha, N-epsilon-bis(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-L-lysine dicyclohexylammonium salt (287 mg, 0.54 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (4 mL). HATU (217 mg, 0.57 mmol) and DIPEA (0.21 mL, 1.19 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at rt for 30 minutes. Then, (2S)-2-{[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-1-ium-2-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}pyrrolidin-1-ium dichloride (200 mg, 0.54 mmol) was added to the solution and the mixture was stirred for 18 h at rt. Water was added and the mixture was extracted 3× with EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product was purified on a SiO₂ column, eluting with a gradient (0% MeOH/50% EtOAc/50% heptane→0% MeOH/100% EtOAc/0% heptane→10% MeOH/90% EtOAc/0% heptane) then on a C-18 column, eluting with a gradient of MeOH and water (0 to 100% MeOH), yielding 80 mg (24%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): ppm 1.34-1.39 (m, 2H), 1.41 (s, 9H), 1.43 (s, 9H), 1.52-1.64 (m, 3H), 1.68-2.02 (m, 4H), 2.08-2.22 (m, 2H), 3.02-3.16 (m, 3H), 3.20-3.28 (m, 1H), 3.48-3.57 (m, 1H), 3.60-3.70 (m, 1H), 4.40-4.51 (m, 1H), 4.54-4.57 (m, 1H), 4.97-5.08 (m, 1H), 5.29-5.39 (m, 2H), 7.00 (d, 1H), 7.10-7.32 (m, 6H), 7.52 (td, 1H), 7.86 (d, 1H), 8.49 (d, 1H).

Step B Synthesis of 2-[(2 S)-2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2,5-diazaniumylhexanoyl]pyrrolidin-2-yl]formamido}-2-phenylethyl]pyridin-1-ium trichloride

tert-Butyl (S)-6-oxo-6-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hexane-1,5-diyldicarbamate (80 mg, 0.13 mmol) was dissolved in a 4 M HCl solution in 1,4-dioxane (1.6 mL, 6.4 mmol). The reaction was stirred at rt for 18 hours. The volatiles were removed under vacuum and the product was triturated in MTBE. The solid was recovered by filtration on a Büchner funnel, washed with MTBE and dried under vacuum. The solid was dissolved in water and freeze dried to afford 60 mg (88%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O): ppm 1.23-1.35 (m, 2H), 1.46-1.59 (m, 3H), 1.65-1.80 (m, 4H), 2.04-2.13 (m, 1H), 2.80 (t, 2H), 3.31-3.43 (m, 2H), 3.47-3.57 (m, 2H), 4.16 (t, 1H), 4.28 (t, 1H), 5.11 (t, 1H), 7.10-7.13 (m, 2H), 7.16-7.26 (m, 3H), 7.68-7.73 (m, 2H), 8.31 (td, 1H), 8.42 (dd, 1H);

[M+H]⁺=424.2.

Example 7 (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide

The title compound was prepared as the trichloride 2-[(2S)-2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-azaniumyl-3-(1H-imidazol-1-ium-4-yl)propanoyl]pyrrolidin-2-yl]formamido}-2-phenylethyl]pyridin-1-ium trichloride

Step A tert-Butyl (S)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxo-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamate

Boc-His-OH (166 mg, 0.65 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (4 mL). HATU (260 mg, 0.68 mmol) and DIPEA (0.38 mL, 2.85 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at rt for 30 minutes. Then, 2-((S)-2-phenyl-2-((S)-pyrrolidin-2-iumcarboxamido)ethyl)pyridinium chloride (240 mg, 0.65 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 66 hours at rt. Water was added and the mixture was extracted 3× with EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product was purified on a SiO₂ column, eluting with a gradient of MeOH and CH₂Cl₂ (0% to 13% MeOH) then on a C-18 column, eluting with a gradient of MeOH and water (0 to 100% MeOH), yielding 100 mg (29%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): ppm 1.44 (s, 9H), 1.77-2.00 (m, 3H), 2.05-2.19 (m, 1H), 3.03-3.14 (m, 2H), 3.23 (dd, 1H), 3.40 (dd, 1H), 3.52-3.58 (m, 1H), 4.50-4.62 (m, 2H), 5.43-5.50 (m, 2H), 6.91-6.97 (m, 2H), 7.13-7.27 (m, 5H), 7.53 (t, 1H), 7.65 (s, 1H), 8.53 (d, 1H), 8.67 (d, 1H).

Step B 2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Ammonio-3-(1H-imidazol-1-ium-4-yl)propanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridinium trichloride

tert-Butyl (S)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxo-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamate (100 mg, 0.19 mmol) was dissolved in a 4 M HCl solution in 1,4-dioxane (2.3 mL, 9.39 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 18 h. The volatiles were removed under vacuum and the product was triturated in MTBE. The solid was recovered by filtration on a Büchner funnel, washed with MTBE and dried under vacuum. The solid was dissolved in water and freeze dried to afford 85 mg (69%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O): ppm 1.50-1.58 (m, 1H), 1.69-1.76 (m, 2H), 2.07-2.14 (m, 1H), 3.12-3.21 (m, 3H), 3.38 (dd, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 3.48-3.56 (m, 2H), 4.32 (t, 1H), 4.43 (t, 1H), 5.14 (t, 1H), 7.08-7.12 (m, 2H), 7.15-7.23 (m, 3H), 7.26 (s, 1H), 7.65-7.70 (m, 2H), 8.26 (td, 1H), 8.39 (d, 1H), 8.49 (d, 1H);

[M+H]⁺=433.2;

[M+Na]⁺=455.1.

Example 8 2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridine dihydrochloride

The title compound can also be named as: 2-[(2S)-2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-azaniumyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl]pyrrolidin-2-yl]formamido}-2-phenylethyl]pyridin-1-ium dichloride

Step A tert-Butyl (S)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxo-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamate

Boc-Tyr-OH (229 mg, 0.81 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (5 mL). HATU (325 mg, 0.86 mmol) and DIPEA (0.47 mL, 2.69 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at rt for 30 minutes. Then, 2-((S)-2-phenyl-2-((S)-pyrrolidin-2-iumcarboxamido)ethyl)pyridinium chloride (300 mg, 0.81 mmol) was added to the solution and the mixture was stirred for 66 h at rt. Water was added and the mixture was extracted 3× with EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product was purified on SiO₂ column, eluting with a (0% MeOH/50% EtOAc/50% heptane→0% MeOH/100% EtOAc/0% heptane→15% MeOH/85% EtOAc/0% heptane) then on a C-18 column, eluting with a gradient of MeOH and water (0 to 100% MeOH), yielding 180 mg (40%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): ppm 1.44 (s, 9H), 1.73-2.02 (m, 3H), 2.16-2.22 (m, 1H), 2.92-3.09 (m, 4H), 3.35-3.42 (m, 1H), 3.48-3.51 (m, 1H), 3.53-3.68 (m, 1H), 4.48-4.51 (m, 1H), 4.65-4.73 (m, 1H), 5.06-5.14 (m, 1H), 5.43 (d, 1H), 6.61 (d, 1H), 6.86 (d, 2H), 6.94-6.99 (m, 2H), 7.08-7.26 (m, 6H), 7.42 (dd, 1H), 8.49 (d, 1H), 8.63 (s, 1H).

Step B: 2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Ammonio-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridinium dichloride

tert-Butyl (S)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxo-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamate (180 mg, 0.32 mmol) was dissolved in a 4 M HCl solution in 1,4-dioxane (3.2 mL, 12.89 mmol). The reaction was stirred at rt for 18 hours. The volatiles were removed under vacuum and the product was triturated in MTBE. The solid was recovered by filtration on a Büchner funnel, washed with MTBE and dried under vacuum. The solid was dissolved in water and freeze dried to afford 150 mg (88%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O): ppm 1.48-1.57 (m, 1H), 1.68-1.73 (m, 2H), 1.98-2.05 (m, 1H), 2.68-2.76 (m, 1H), 2.93-3.00 (m, 1H), 3.10-3.19 (m, 1H), 3.40-3.63 (m, 3H), 4.20-4.28 (m, 2H), 5.14 (t, 1H), 6.65 (d, 2H), 6.96 (d, 2H), 7.13-7.22 (m, 5H), 7.63-7.66 (m, 2H), 8.19-8.22 (m, 1H), 8.40 (d, 1H);

[M+H]⁺=459.2.

Example 9 2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridine dihydrochloride

The title compound can also be named: 2-[(2S)-2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-azaniumyl-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl]pyrrolidin-2-yl]formamido}-2-phenylethyl]pyridin-1-ium dichloride

Step A tert-Butyl (S)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxo-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamate

Boc-Trp-OH (207 mg, 0.68 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (4 mL). HATU (271 mg, 0.71 mmol) and DIPEA (0.39 mL, 2.24 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at rt for 30 minutes. Then, (2S)-2-{[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-1-ium-2-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}pyrrolidin-1-ium dichloride (250 mg, 0.68 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 18 hours at rt. Water was added and the mixture was extracted 3× with EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product was purified on a SiO₂ column, eluting with a gradient of (0% MeOH/50% EtOAc/50% heptane→0% MeOH/100% EtOAc/0% heptane→15% MeOH/85% EtOAc/0% heptane), yielding 410 mg (Quantitative) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): ppm 1.44 (s, 9H), 1.77-1.89 (m, 3H), 2.14-2.24 (m, 1H), 3.03-3.24 (m, 4H), 3.28-3.36 (m, 2H), 3.54-3.65 (m, 1H), 4.52-4.58 (m, 1H), 4.79-4.88 (m, 1H), 5.12-5.27 (m, 1H), 5.34-5.41 (m, 1H), 6.63 (d, 1H), 6.94-7.31 (m, 8H), 7.38-7.53 (m, 3H), 7.62-7.67 (m, 1H), 8.59 (d, 1H), 9.87 (s, 1H).

Step B 2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Ammonio-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridinium dichloride

tert-Butyl (S)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxo-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamate (395 mg, 0.68 mmol) was dissolved in a 1 M HCl solution in Et₂O (27.0 mL, 27.20 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 4 h. The product was triturated in Et₂O and the solid was recovered by filtration on a Büchner funnel, washed with Et₂O and dried under vacuum. The solid was dissolved in water and freeze dried to afford 175 mg (44%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O): ppm 1.41-1.53 (m, 1H), 1.63-1.72 (m, 2H), 1.93-2.04 (m, 1H), 2.85 (dd, 1H), 2.94-3.55 (m, 5H), 4.19-4.31 (m, 2H), 5.08 (t, 1H), 6.90-7.31 (m, 9H), 7.38 (d, 1H), 7.55-7.58 (m, 2H), 8.15 (t, 1H), 8.31 (d, 1H);

[M+H]⁺=482.2,

[M+Na]⁺=504.1.

Example 10 (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-phenylpropanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide

The title compound was prepared as 2-[(2S)-2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-azaniumyl-3-phenylpropanoyl]pyrrolidin-2-yl]formamido}-2-phenylethyl]pyridin-1-ium dichloride

Step A tert-Butyl (S)-1-oxo-3-phenyl-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamate

Boc-Phe-OH (180 mg, 0.68 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (4 mL). HATU (271 mg, 0.71 mmol) and DIPEA (0.39 mL, 2.24 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at rt for 30 minutes. Then, (2S)-2-{[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-1-ium-2-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}pyrrolidin-1-ium dichloride (250 mg, 0.68 mmol) was added to the solution and the mixture was stirred for 18 h at rt. Water was added and the mixture was extracted 3× with EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product was purified on a SiO₂ column, eluting with a gradient (0% MeOH/50% EtOAc/50% heptane→0% MeOH/100% EtOAc/0% heptane→15% MeOH/85% EtOAc/0% heptane), then on a C-18 column, eluting with a gradient of MeOH and water (0 to 100% MeOH), yielding 170 mg (46%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): ppm 1.44 (s, 9H), 1.73-1.91 (m, 3H), 2.10-2.19 (m, 1H), 3.10-3.40 (m, 3H), 3.45-3.61 (m, 2H), 4.27-4.35 (m, 1H), 4.50-4.56 (m, 1H), 4.60-4.69 (m, 1H), 5.17-5.41 (m, 3H), 6.93-7.03 (m, 2H), 7.06-7.32 (m, 9H), 7.47-7.56 (m, 1H), 7.82 (d, 1H), 8.48 (d, 1H).

Step B 2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Ammonio-3-phenylpropanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridinium dichloride

tert-Butyl (S)-1-oxo-3-phenyl-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamate (170 mg, 0.31 mmol) was dissolved in a 1 M HCl solution in Et₂O (12.5 mL, 12.53 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 18 hours. The product was triturated in Et₂O. The solid was recovered by filtration on a Büchner funnel, washed with Et₂O and dried under vacuum. The solid was dissolved in water and freeze dried to afford 150 mg (93%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O): ppm 1.39-1.48 (m, 1H), 1.58-1.65 (m, 2H), 1.92-1.99 (m, 1H), 2.66-2.74 (m, 1H), 2.95-3.10 (m, 2H), 3.29-3.45 (m, 3H), 4.15-4.27 (m, 2H), 5.09 (t, 1H), 6.97-7.17 (m, 10H), 7.59-7.64 (m, 2H), 8.18 (t, 1H), 8.35 (d, 1H);

[M+H]⁺=443.3,

[M+Na]⁺=465.2.

Example 11 (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-4-methylpentanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide

The title compound was prepared as the dichloride 2-[(2S)-2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-azaniumyl-4-methylpentanoyl]pyrrolidin-2-yl]formamido}-2-phenylethyl]pyridin-1-ium dichloride

Step A tert-Butyl (S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-2-ylcarbamate

N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-L-leucine (157 mg, 0.68 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (4 mL). HATU (271 mg, 0.71 mmol) and DIPEA (0.39 mL, 2.24 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at rt for 30 minutes. Then, (2S)-2-{[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-1-ium-2-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}pyrrolidin-1-ium dichloride (250 mg, 0.68 mmol) was added to the solution and the mixture was stirred for 18 hours at rt. Water was added and the mixture was extracted 3× with EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product was purified on a SiO₂ column, eluting with a gradient (0% MeOH/50% EtOAc/50% heptane→0% MeOH/100% EtOAc/0% heptane→15% MeOH/85% EtOAc/0% heptane) then on a C-18 column, eluting with a gradient of MeOH and water (0 to 100% MeOH), yielding 200 mg (58%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): ppm 0.91 (d, 3H), 0.98 (d, 3H), 1.34-1.52 (m, 1H), 1.41 (s, 9H), 1.70-1.84 (m, 2H), 1.85-1.96 (m, 3H), 2.11-2.18 (m, 1H), 3.07-3.27 (m, 2H), 3.47-3.56 (m, 1H), 3.61-3.71 (m, 1H), 4.43-4.56 (m, 2H), 5.14-5.18 (m, 1H), 5.26-5.34 (m, 1H), 6.98 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.08-7.25 (m, 5H), 7.52 (t, 1H), 7.83 (d, 1H), 8.48 (d, 1H).

Step B 2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Ammonio-4-methylpentanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridinium dichloride

tert-Butyl (S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-((S)-2-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-2-ylcarbamate (200 mg, 0.39 mmol) was dissolved in a 1 M HCl solution in Et₂O (15.7 mL, 15.7 mmol). The reaction was stirred at rt for 18 h. The product was triturated in Et₂O. The solid was recovered by filtration on a Büchner funnel, washed with Et₂O and dried under vacuum. The solid was dissolved in water and freeze dried to afford 130 mg (69%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O): ppm 0.72 (d, 6H), 1.31-1.49 (m, 4H), 1.65-1.74 (m, 2H), 1.93-2.02 (m, 1H), 3.23-3.49 (m, 4H), 3.99-4.04 (m, 1H), 4.16-4.21 (m, 1H), 5.07 (t, 1H), 7.08-7.20 (m, 5H), 7.63-7.67 (m, 2H), 8.22 (td, 1H), 8.37 (dd, 1H);

[M+H]⁺=409.2,

[M+Na]⁺=431.2.

Example 12 2-[(2S)-2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-Azaniumyl-5-{[azaniumyl(iminiumyl)methyl]amino}pentanoyl]-pyrrolidin-2-yl]formamido}-2-phenylethyl]pyridin-1-ium tetrachloride

Step A tert-Butyl N-[(1Z)-{[(4S)-4-{[(tert-butoxy)carbonyl]amino}-5-oxo-5-[(2S)-2-{[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}pyrrolidin-1-yl]pentyl]amino}({[(tert-butoxy)carbonyl]imino})methyl]carbamate

Boc-Arg(Boc)₂-OH (644 mg, 1.36 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (7 mL). HATU (542 mg, 1.43 mmol) and DIPEA (0.78 mL, 4.48 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred at rt for 30 minutes. Then, (2S)-2-{[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-1-ium-2-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}pyrrolidin-1-ium dichloride (500 mg, 1.36 mmol) was added to the solution and the mixture was stirred for 18 h at rt. Water was added and the mixture was extracted 3× with EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product was purified on a SiO₂ column, eluting with a gradient (0% MeOH/50% EtOAc/50% heptane→0% MeOH/100% EtOAc/0% heptane→10% MeOH/90% EtOAc/0% heptane) then on a C-18 column, eluting with a gradient of MeOH and water (0 to 100% MeOH)., yielding 200 mg (20%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): ppm 1.43 (s, 9H), 1.46 (s, 9H), 1.51 (s, 9H), 1.57-1.76 (m, 4H), 1.86-1.99 (m, 3H), 2.12-2.25 (m, 1H), 3.11 (dd, 1H), 3.23-3.30 (m, 1H), 3.58-3.95 (m, 4H), 4.42 (t, 1H), 4.56 (d, 1H), 5.31-5.38 (m, 2H), 6.98 (d, 1H), 7.17-7.33 (m, 5H), 7.54 (t, 1H), 7.93 (d, 1H), 8.56 (d, 1H).

Step B 2-[(2S)-2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-Azaniumyl-5-{[azaniumyl(iminiumyl)methyl]amino}pentanoyl]pyrrolidin-2-yl]formamido}-2-phenylethyl]pyridin-1-ium tetrachloride

tert-Butyl N-[(1Z)-{[(4S)-4-{[(tert-butoxy)carbonyl]amino}-5-oxo-5-[(2S)-2-{[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]carbamoyl}pyrrolidin-1-yl]pentyl]amino}({[(tert-butoxy)carbonyl]imino})methyl]carbamate (200 mg, 0.27 mmol) was dissolved in a 1 M HCl solution in Et₂O (5.3 mL, 10.64 mmol). The reaction was stirred at rt for 18 hours. The product was triturated in Et₂O. The solid was recovered by filtration on a Büchner funnel, washed with Et₂O and dried under vacuum. The solid was dissolved in water and freeze dried to afford 140 mg (88%) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O): ppm 1.31-1.57 (m, 3H), 1.66-1.78 (m, 4H), 2.00-2.10 (m, 1H), 2.99 (t, 2H), 3.28-3.40 (m, 4H), 4.16 (t, 1H), 4.26 (t, 1H), 5.09 (t, 1H), 7.10-7.13 (m, 2H), 7.16-7.21 (m, 3H), 7.67-7.71 (m, 2H), 8.27 (t, 1H), 8.40 (d, 1H);

[M+H]⁺=452.2.

Biological Activity

Prodrugs described herein are contemplated to be administered orally by those suffering with depression or pain.

Example 13

This example illustrates that different prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine, wherein R1 is C₁₋₆ alkylC(O)O(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), may be used to achieve differing rates of conversion (i.e., slow or rapid) to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine to ascertain a suitable PK profile. Hence, varying R1 to produce different prodrugs results in different pharmacokinetic profiles of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. Further, this Example illustrates that there is no expected loss in oral exposure when a prodrug is converted to free base. Conversion of a prodrug wherein R1 is C₁₋₆ alkylC(O)O(C₁₋₆ alkoxy) to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine is expected to occur via an initial enzymatic hydrolysis of a functional group, such as an ester, followed by a spontaneous conversion to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. Enzymes involved are expected to be several non-specific, high capacity esterases, which can be shown by inhibiting the conversion with a non-selective esterase inhibitor but not inhibiting the conversion using selective inhibitors. Such esterases are expected to be distributed throughout the human body. Human Intestinal Fluid (HIF), human liver S9 fraction and human whole blood have been used to examine the pharmacokinetic properties of the prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine as well as the formation rate and formation extent of the (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine in different bodily compartments. The formation rate of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine from different prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine differs markedly in all tested assays, as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Hum Liver Assay Hum Blood Assay HIF Assay Prodrug Form- Form- Form- Form- Form- Clint ation ation ation ation ation Hum extent Rate extent Rate extent Liver Hum Hum Hum Example HIF HIF S9 Liver Blood Blood Compound (k⁻¹) (%) (ml/min/mg) S9 (%) (k⁻¹) (%) Example 1 8.4 100 2300 100 45 100 Example 2 11 99 1700 96 0.4 76 Diaste- reomer 1 Example 2 0.5 100 1900 92 0.2 71 Diaste- reomer 2 Example 3 0.3 100 240 96 Not Not Diaste- Measured Measured reomer 1 Example 3 8.9 100 1600 94 1.2 100 Diaste- reomer 2 Example 4 2.4 72 1200 57 Not Not Diaste measured Measured reomer 1 Example 4 7.5 93 1900 52 2.6 100 Diaste- reomer 2

The in vitro results shown in Table 1 show that different pharmacokinetic plasma profiles of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine can be achieved by using different prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. Hence, selection of a particular prodrug will allow different pharmacokinetic profiles of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine to be achieved, that is, different prodrugs may be used to achieve a slow or rapid conversion to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. Human Intestinal Fluids (HIF), Human Liver and Human Blood assays used to generate the results shown in Table 1 have been described in Malmborg J & Ploeger B A, J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods (2013) May-June 67(3) 203-13, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Example 14

This example illustrates that different prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine, wherein R1 is

may be used to achieve differing rates of conversion (i.e., slow or rapid) to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine to ascertain a suitable PK profile. Hence, varying R1 to produce different prodrugs results in different pharmacokinetic profiles of(S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. Further, this Example illustrates that there is no expected loss in oral exposure when a prodrug is converted to free base.

Conversion of a prodrug to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine of a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is:

is expected to occur via enzymatic hydrolysis at the proline C-terminus, releasing a dipeptide and (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. The enzyme involved is expected to be dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV), which can be shown by inhibiting the conversion with a selective inhibitor of this enzyme. DPPIV is expected to be distributed throughout the human body. Human Intestinal Fluid (HIF), human liver S9 fraction and human whole blood have been used to examine the pharmacokinetic properties of prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine as well as the formation rate and formation extent of the (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine in different bodily compartments. Caco-2 cells have been used to evaluate the permeability and absorption potential of the prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. The formation rate of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine from different prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine differed in the tested assays, especially in human blood, as shown in Table 2. The differing permeability displayed by different prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine suggests that the systemic exposure of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine will vary depending on prodrug chosen.

TABLE 2 HIF Hum Liver Assay Hum Blood Assay Assay Prodrug Form- Form- Form- Form- Form- Clint ation ation ation Caco-2 ation ation Hum extent Rate extent Caco-2 Rate extent Liver Hum Hum Hum Papp HIF HIF S9 Liver Blood Blood (10⁻⁶ Example (k⁻¹) (%) (ml/min/mg) S9 (%) (k⁻¹) (%) cm/s) 5 4.1 88 120 87 6.5 93 1.4 6 2.7 72 73 88 4.5 90 0.07 7 2.3 86 33 83 1.1 59 1.6 8 2.6 97 51 94 1.1 86 3.2 12 3.8 87 69 100 8.9 93 8.6

The in vitro assays show that different pharmacokinetic plasma profiles of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine can be achieved by using different prodrugs. Hence, different pharmacokinetic profiles of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine can be achieved by use of different prodrugs.

Example 15

This example illustrates that oral doses of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine have a similar pharmacokinetic profile to an IV 1-hour infusion of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine.

Based on in vitro data, (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (lanicemine) projects to have good oral bioavailability (>75%) in man, but a higher than acceptable Cmax when given as an intravenous bolus (relative to its safety profile as a 1-hr infusion). One selection criterion used to evaluate the utility and suitability of a prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine was the potential for the prodrug to preserve (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine's oral/1-hr iv infusion characteristics (e.g., T_(max), C_(max), AUC) while blunting the C_(max) of the active moiety when the prodrug is administered directly into the blood stream thereby attenuating potential misuse (e.g. abuse liability) and/or Cmax driven safety concerns. As a means of identifying prodrugs with appropriate pharmacokinetic profiles in man, multi-compartmental, physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models (PBPK) were constructed for both (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine and each prodrug under consideration. The PBPK models were validated using a set of known prodrugs for which human PK data was available (see Malmborg J & Ploeger B A, J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods (2013) May-June 67(3) 203-13, which is incorporated herein by reference). Rate constants used in the model were based on in vitro stability studies (i.e. human intestinal fluid, human blood, etc.) conducted with both prodrugs and (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (example values shown in Tables 1 and 2).

Table 3 shows key pharmacokinetic predictions for Example 5—one of the DPPIV cleaved prodrugs. As exemplified in Table 3 Cmax exposure of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine is predicted to increase by >2× when a given oral dose form is crushed and illicitly delivered as a bolus i.v. administration. In contrast, (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine released from an oral administered prodrug has a PK profile similar to a 1-hr infusion of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine with no Cmax doubling when given as a bolus i.v. Furthermore, because conversion to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine is driven selectively by DPPIV, a DPPIV inhibitor can be used to stop conversion in case of purposeful or inadvertent misuse—an added safety feature embedded within the DPPIV prodrug design.

In Table 3 Compound 1 is (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. In Table 3 all doses are selected to contain equivalent amounts of Compound 1 [(S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine free base], i.e. each dose contains the same amount of Compound 1 within it and potentially available for release in the form of free base (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. Thus, modeled Cmax concentrations of free base Compound 1 may be compared directly across different administrations of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine and prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine, as shown within Table 3.

TABLE 3 Compound 1 Compound 1 Compound 1 (IV 1-h Compound 1 from Prodrug Compound 1 from Prodrug infusion) (IV-Bolus) (IV-Bolus) (Oral) (Oral) Model Model Model Model Model Predictions Predictions Predictions Predictions Predictions Dose 100 mg 114 mg 270 mg 114 mg 270 mg Tmax 1 h 0.11 h 0.47 h 0.88 h 1.1 h Cmax 825 ng/ml 1821 ng/ml 825 ng/ml 825 ng/ml 825 ng/ml AUC 7590 8723 9089 6967 8251

Example 16

This example illustrates that when doses of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine dihydrochloride (Example 5) and (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine dihydrochloride were administered to dogs, the risk of seizures, as represented by NOEL and LOEL, was less with the prodrug.

(S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine dihydrochloride and vehicle were administered once per day via oral gavage (water). Formulations were prepared twice, once weekly. Dosing formulations were stored and refrigerated (2-8° C.) in amber glass containers until required for dosing. A range of concentrations of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine dihydrochloride in vehicle were prepared in order to keep the dose volume for all doses (1 mL/kg). Individual doses were based on the most recent body weights of dogs used in the study.

A prodrug of(S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine as fumarate salt (example 5) and vehicle were administered once per day for 14 days via oral gavage at approximately the same time each day (+1 hour), (vehicle is 0.3 M gluconic acid pH 3.0). A range of concentrations of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine as fumarate salt in vehicle were prepared (for example 3, 10 and 30 mg/mL of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine) in order to keep the dose volume for all doses (2 mL/kg). The dosing formulations were warmed to room temperature by stirring for at least 30 minutes prior to dosing and continuously throughout the administration procedure. Individual doses were based on the most recent body weights of dogs used in the study.

Table 4 Compound 1 is (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. Table 4 illustrates the highest blood levels in which seizures do not occur (No Observed Effect Limit, NOEL), and the lowest blood levels in which seizures occur (Lowest Observed Effect Limit, LOEL), following administration of Compound 1 dihydrochloride and following administration of a fumarate salt prodrug of Compound 1. In each case the highest blood concentration (Cmax) of free base (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine is measured. In the first case, the free base (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine is generated directly from Compound 1, administered as the dihydrochloride salt. In the second case, the free base (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine is generated via in vivo conversion from a prodrug of Compound 1, administered as the fumarate salt. The NOEL for seizures was higher when the prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine as fumarate salt was administered compared to when (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine as dihydrochloride salt was administered.

TABLE 4 NOEL Seizures in dog LOEL Seizures in dog Compound 1 Cmax Compound 1 Cmax Treatment Administered (Dose administered)* (Dose administered)* Compound 1, as di-HCl 3-6 uM 6-8 uM salt (10 mg/kg) (20 mg/kg) Prodrug of Compound 1,  10 uM 20-36 uM  as fumarate salt (20 mg/kg) (60 mg/kg) *All doses administered (in parentheses) reflect free base concentration.

Example 17

This example illustrates that increasing doses of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine, Example 5, produces less than proportional increases in the concentration of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine in human intestinal fluid, as illustrated in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b . As a consequence, it makes it harder to get high concentrations of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine from administering a prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine relative to administering (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine directly, which is sought after for drug abuse. Without wishing to be bound by theory, prodrugs of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine, wherein R1 is, are primarily cleaved by DPPIV. There is the potential for endogenous and/or exogenous modulation of DPPIV to impact the conversion of the prodrug to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine.

Stock solutions of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine (0.33, 1, 3 and 6 mmol/L) were prepared by adding a volume (8.25, 25, 75 and 150 μL) of 20 mmol/L solution of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine dissolved in DMSO, to FaSSIF-v2 (491.75, 475, 425 and 350 μL). Subsequently, 10 μL of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine stock solution was added to supernatant (90 μL HIF) in a glass vial, mixed for 1 min, and injected on the LC-UV system. The initial concentration in the incubations were 33, 100, 300 and 600 μmol/L and samples were taken at 5, 20, 35, 65 and 125 min from the start of the incubation. An incubation experiment with (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine μmol/L) was used as the standard sample (one-point-calibration) to determine the formation rate and concentration of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. Analysis was performed on a photodiode array detector (the analytical wavelength used was 261 nm) coupled to a Waters Acquity UPLC. The column used was a BEH C-18, 1.7 rpm, 2.1×50 mm ID held at 40° C. and using a 0.2 μm in-line pre-filter. The mobile phases used consisted of A: 0.03% TFA in H2O (v/v) and B: 0.03% TFA in acetonitrile (v/v). Example gradient: The initial 1% B was ramped to 95% B over 7 min and then kept at 95% B for 0.4 min at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. The conversion rate from prodrug to (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine was determined by fitting the measured prodrug and (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine concentrations versus time.

Example 18

Consistent with the in vitro observations from Example 17, in vivo studies (Example 18 below) in rats illustrate that Cmax exposures of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine, as described above, increases less than proportionally upon the transition between therapeutic and supra-therapeutic doses of a prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. The results of these in vivo studies are tabulated in Table 5.

52 male and 52 female rats were administered either (a) prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine as a fumarate salt in vehicle (0.3M Gluconic Acid, pH 3.0) or (b) vehicle (0.3M Gluconic Acid, pH 3.0) once per day for 14 days at approximately the same time each day (09:26+/−124 minutes). The doses (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine) were administered in a dose volume of 10 mL/kg. After 14 days, blood samples were collected 24 hours post-dose from lateral tail vein in restrained animals. Blood samples were collected using 50 ul neutral Sarstedt Minivette POCT capillary tubes. The blood was then transferred to pre-chilled tubes containing ice cold sodium citrate, shaken 5-10 times by hand and frozen in dry ice within 10 seconds of collection. Whole blood samples were shipped frozen on dry ice to Covance Laboratories Inc. for analysis. Samples were analyzed for concentrations of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine and (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine. All analytical work was conducted by Covance Laboratories, Inc., Madison, Wis. using an LC/MS/MS analytical method developed and validated by that laboratory.

Table 5 illustrates toxicokinetic parameters following administering therapeutic and supra-therapeutic doses of prodrug of (S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine to rats.

TABLE 5 Mean Toxicokinetic Parameters for (S)-1-Phenyl-2- (pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine in Rats after Oral Administration of (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-methylbutanoyl)-N-((S)-1- phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide fumerate (Example 5) for 14 Days (S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine - Male (Day 14) Dose 30 mg/kg/day 100 mg/kg/day 300 mg/kg/day (75 μmol/kg/day) (250 μmol/kg/day) (750 μmol/kg/day) C_(max) 9980 ± 890 20700 ± 7660 50700 ± 18700 (nmol/L) AUC_(0-t) 133000 ± 11100 305000 ± 96600 784000 ± 180000 (nmol · hr/L) T_(max)  3.33 ± 2.52 3.00 ± 0  1.54 ± 1.27 (hours) (S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine - Female (Day 14) Dose 30 mg/kg/day 100 mg/kg/day 300 mg/kg/day (75 μmol/kg/day) (250 μmol/kg/day) (750 μmol/kg/day) C_(max) 11900 ± 1990  32400 ± 2750 83800 ± 8810 (nmol/L) AUC_(0-t) 14600 ± 10000 402000 ± 14000 1150000 ± 319000 (nmol · hr/L) T_(max) 3.00 ± 0    1.67 ± 1.15  2.67 ± 2.89 (hours) 

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein R1 is C₁₋₆ alkylC(O)O(C₁₋₆ alkoxy), or

AA is a peptide bond-linked natural amino acid; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 selected from the group consisting of: (S)-(1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)methyl isobutyrate; 2-Methyl-1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)propyl isobutyrate; 2-Methyl-1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)propyl isobutyrate diastereomer 1; 2-Methyl-1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)propyl isobutyrate diastereomer 2; 1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl acetate; 1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl acetate diastereomer 1; 1-((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl acetate diastereomer 2; 1-((S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate; 1-((S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate diastereomer 1; 1-((S)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylcarbamoyloxy)ethyl isobutyrate diastereomer 2; (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-methylbutanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide; (S)-1-((S)-2, 6-Diaminohexanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide; (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide; 2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridine; 2-((S)-2-((S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)-2-phenylethyl)pyridine; (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-3-phenylpropanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide; or, (S)-1-((S)-2-Amino-4-methylpentanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of any one of the foregoing.
 3. The compound (S)-1-((S)-2-amino-3-methylbutanoyl)-N—((S)-1-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.
 5. A compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 for use in therapy.
 6. Use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of depression.
 7. Use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 for the treatment of depression.
 8. Use according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the depression disorder is major depressive disorder.
 9. A method of treating depression which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or
 3. 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the depression disorder is major depressive disorder.
 11. Use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of pain.
 12. Use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 for the treatment of pain.
 13. A method of treating pain which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or
 3. 14. Use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of Rett Syndrome, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, sarin gas poisoning, or status epilepticus.
 15. Use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 for the treatment of Rett Syndrome, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, sarin gas poisoning, or status epilepticus.
 16. A method of treating Rett Syndrome, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, sarin gas poisoning, or status epilepticus which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as claimed in claim 1, 2 or
 3. 17. The compound 2-((S)-2-phenyl-2-((S)-pyrrolid-2-incarboxamido)ethyl)pyridine or a salt thereof.


18. The compound 2-((S)-2-phenyl-2-((S)-pyrrolidin-2-iumcarboxamido)ethyl)pyridinium dichloride 